Mutya Buena Quits Sugababes

The following was posted on Sugababes’ official website earlier today:

There has been intense speculation all week about the future of the Sugababes and we can confirm today that Mutya Buena has officially left the band. Mutya’s decision is based purely on personal reasons and she will continue to remain the best of friends with both Keisha Buchanan and Heidi Range. The Sugababes will of course continue with Keisha and Heidi who will be joined by a new member, to be announced in the next 24 hours.”

Here’s what the ‘babes say in their own words:

Mutya: “I’ve enjoyed an unbelievable career so far and I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved with Sugababes over the years. My decision to leave the band at this point is based purely on my personal reasons. It was very difficult but definitely not a snap decision. I signed up for being in Sugababes at the age of 13 and have spent my entire life devoted to making and performing music. I think there comes a time when everyone wants to re-evaluate their life and what they want out of it. For me that time has now come. For a long time I have been discussing with Heidi and Keisha our plans for the future and it got to the point where I honestly felt that the commitment I would need to make to Sugababes over the next 12 months was something that would become compromised by me. Clearly that wouldn’t have been fair to Heidi or Keisha or most of all to our fans. Certainly, my departure from the band would never mean the end of Sugababes. We were all in total agreement that a new member would enable the band to continue and I’m delighted that the new girl is taking my place. She’s so lucky to be getting one of the best jobs in the world! And certainly my leaving the band doesn’t mean I won’t be seeing Heidi or Keisha any more. We’ll still be seeing each other and I’ll definitely be taking Tah to all of their gigs.”

Keisha: “When the decision was made, we had a band meeting to discuss the future. I think for our fans, the one thing Sugababes has come to stand for above all else is our consistent and unique style of music. Obviously, it goes without saying that we will all miss Mutya, but we also knew there was still a place for bringing in somebody new who could help us carry on taking the Sugababes brand of music forward.”

Heidi: “Our management introduced us to someone they had been working with who undoubtedly had an amazing voice, who looked great and, just as important, was already a big fan of the band! When we all met her, we instantly knew she was the only person to share the rest of the journey with us. Next year, we’ve got so much to look forward to with our own UK Tour in March and April, and we can’t wait to be doing Take That’s sold-out stadium tour as their Special Guests next summer. Mutya’s still going to be missed but it’s great that we’re parting company still as best friends.”

Fans, although sad about the departure of one of the founder members of the Sugababes, should be exited about the next phase in Europe’s No.1 girl group. They have crafted back-to-back triple-platinum albums, sold one million singles in the UK, had four number ones , earned a Brit Award, a Q Award, an MTV Award, a Smash Hits Award and an Elle Style Award.

This is a new and exciting chapter in the Sugababes colorful history and future. The babes wish Mutya the very best for her future and also want thank their fans for their continued support and look forward to introducing their new line up and kicking off 2006 in a massive way.

Sugababes Fans Fume Over 15 Minute Appearance

October 30, 2005 - The People reports that fans of the chart topping Sugababes were fuming after the trio stayed at their album launch last week for just 15 minutes. “They arrived at 10 PM and were literally there for 15 minutes - gone by 10:15,” a source told the tabloid. “It was a bit of an insult to everyone who had waited so long for them.”

Siobhan Donaghy Signs Deal With Parlophone

October 22, 2005 - Former Sugababes star Siobhan Donaghy posted a message to fans on her official website on October 11th revealing she’s gotten a new recording deal. “Hello there. First of all I’d like to start by saying that after such a long time without any releases from myself or even having had a deal for what is now over a year and a half, to still see the familiar names, and also some new, popping up on this site showing support is absolutely incredible,” she writes. “Leaving London Records was a mutual decision made by both parties as we had simply come to the end of what was a very happy working relationship between myself and people I would still call friends. It’s a natural progression for artists to move and grow and this is what I have always strived for. Which brings me to my point. On Monday I will sign to Parlophone, part of the EMI group. It is a label I have always admired and am super excited about signing to. I’ve wanted to tell you all for a while, as happy news should be shared, but until I knew everything was 10000% going ahead I thought I’d hold back to save myself from any embarrassment.”

Sugababes Get Dual UK #1

October 18, 2005 - The Sugababes 4th album ‘Taller In More Ways’ has debuted at #1 in the official UK top 40 albums chart, selling over 65,000 copies in the first week, giving Sugababes their first ever #1 album. ‘Push The Button’ also holds at #1 for a third week in the official UK singles chart, making them the third girl-group to have a simultaneous #1 album and #1 single.

Sugababes Mutya Buena: I Flung My Screaming Baby

September 18, 2005 - Sugababes singer Mutya Buena spoke with The Sun about the difficulties of being a new mother and no doubt caused alarm after opening up about a recent incident with 6-month old daughter Tahlia. “The other day I was sleeping and I was so tired and she was screaming her head off and she was kicking and stuff and I must have grabbed her legs and I’ve flung her,” the 20-year-old admitted. “I’ve flung her, not hard, but I’ve flung her and told her to go away because I was tired. I think it’s only because I’m so tired. It’s not a bad thing, but you do just get really frustrated and it’s a natural thing you get frustrated, even though you want to care for it and get up.”